The Lions at Bears pick as part of the NFL’s week 13 slate looks like a contest only a bettor would love. Detroit does have a couple extra days of rest after losing on Thanksgiving Day yet again, but they also have a new coach after Matt Patricia was relieved of his duties following the beating from the Texans.
Chicago isn’t in a much better spot than the Lions, having dropped five straight most recently a 41-25 white washing at the hands of rival Green Bay in a game that wasn’t even as close as the final score indicates. The Bears are favored on Sunday (-3), because somebody has to be, but does Detroit get an edge with the breath of fresh air that comes with a coaching change?
Lots of Unknowns for Detroit
It’s clear that Matt Patricia had lost this team with the Lions losing 4 of their last 5 games including a 20-0 shutout at Carolina in week 11. Detroit now turns to long time NFL assistant coach Darrell Bevell to run the squad. Bevell had received some head coaching interest from his time as Seattle’s OC, so we’re looking at a coach in a must-win spot. Everything is in play (fake punts, 4th down conversions) for the Lions on Sunday.
The big question is whether Detroit will actually get that breath of fresh air in the Lions at Bears pick? One would think the Lions turn to Matthew Stafford for a step-up game, but he only has one outing with a QB rating above 100 in the last five and is battling a thumb injury. The Lions have no rushing attack (27th) and are up against a Bears defense that is still in the top half in the league despite the 5-game losing streak.
Bears Lean on Trubisky
Detroit has a new coach for Sunday’s contest, but Chicago has plenty to game plan for as Bevell had been the offensive coordinator for the Lions the last year-and-a-half. The Bears have also beaten Detroit five straight times, including 27-23 to kick off the 2020 season. The last four Chicago wins in this series have all come by one score or less.
Chicago’s success on Sunday relies on the shoulders of Mitch Trubisky, who saves some of his best games for the Silver and Honolulu Blue. Trubisky has a 68% completion percentage with 14 TD to 4 INT in 6 career games vs. Detroit, and threw for 3 TD with 0 INT in the Bears’ 4-point win over the Lions in the season opener.
Perhaps unfortunately for Bears backers, Chicago may need a strong outing from Trubisky and the #31 ranked offense in the league because Detroit should be able to put up some points on Sunday. The Bears were down 41-10 to the Packers at the start of the 4th quarter last week, allowing 182 yards on the ground to Green Bay. The centerpiece for the Chicago defense, Akiem Hicks, could be out again with an injured calf and Khalil Mack is also battling a back injury.
Free Lions at Bears Pick
Detroit has lost five straight in this series, but the last four have been within one score. Detroit should be reinvigorated after a coaching change while Chicago finds themselves in a very similar spot their opponents were in last week – playing for what seems to be a lame duck in Matt Nagy.
Lions 27 – Bears 20
Free Pick: Detroit Lions +3
